International Student Admission Requirements

International Students

New international applicants, including those who wish to transfer from other schools in the U.S., must first apply to the program, be accepted and be issued a form I-20 by a designated school official. International students admitted for a degree program will automatically be considered for a scholarship. No special application is required.

The international student adviser, located in the Admissions Office, who functions as their advocate, serves as the University representative, information source and communications facilitator for all international students.

Contact Information

In its learning community, Our Lady of the Lake University deliberately seeks heterogeneity and offers equal educational opportunity to all students regardless of race, color, creed, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, or disability. Its curriculum of alternatives permits a wide variety of times, places and learning modes to make its programs accessible not only to young men and women right out of secondary school, but also to many types of nontraditional students. For all these groups and for many others, the University offers unique opportunities for personalized education.

The purpose of the University’s admission requirements and procedures, therefore, is to identify and assess the student’s potential for success in his or her educational goals at Our Lady of the Lake University.

The completed application form should be returned to the Admissions Office. Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year as soon as all credentials have been received. All credentials should be received by the following dates to be considered for admission:

Freshmen
Fall Deadline

Financial Aid Priority Action - September 1

Early Action - November 1

Regular Decision - May 1

Late Decision - August. 1

Spring Deadline - December 1

Transfers

Summer - April 1

Fall - August 1

Applications for programs in San Antonio, Rio Grande Valley (La Feria) and Houston (The Woodlands) should be requested from the respective locations or the OLLU website at www.ollusa.edu/apply

La Feria (Rio Grande Valley):

Admission Categories

Admission to Our Lady of the Lake University will be granted in one of the following categories:

Regular Admission

Applicants fulfilling all admission requirements will be granted regular admission. This category of admission is full and unconditional. It must be clearly understood that admission into the University does not constitute admission to a degree program.

Readmission

Students who have not attended OLLU in more than a year must apply for readmission by submitting an application for admission. Any student whose program is interrupted by an absence of one year or more will incur the obligation of meeting changed requirements as printed in the current catalog. It must be clearly understood that admission into the University does not constitute admission to a degree program.

Special Admission

Applicants not seeking to enroll in a degree program (such as those seeking noncredit courses or those seeking credit courses for personal enrichment or for transfer to another institution) will be granted special admission. It must be clearly understood that special admission does not constitute admission to a degree program; if admission to a degree program is later granted, there is no guarantee that credit earned as a special admission student will be applicable toward the degree unless special permission is given by the dean of the college/school (College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business and Leadership, or School of Professional Studies and Worden School of Social Service) in which the student is seeking a degree.

International Student Admission

Applications for admission and requests for information may be requested from the Office of Admissions by calling 210-431-3961 or 1-800-436-6558, or going online to www.ollusa.edu/Admissions. The completed application form and non-refundable application fee of $50 should be returned to the traditional Undergraduate/Graduate Admission Office.

Currently, Our Lady of the Lake University does sponsor the J-1 Exchange Program and is SEVIS compliant to issue the form I-20 for F-1 Visa students.

Admission Requirements

For admission as an undergraduate student, a candidate must give evidence of academic preparation sufficient to permit entry into regular college-level work, as well as evidence of academic aptitude sufficient to predict success in that work.

Academic preparation may be indicated by any one of the following:

Graduation from an accredited high school with 16 units of credit, which include:

Successful completion of the General Education Development (GED) tests

Successful completion of 12 semester hours or the equivalent of college-level work with a minimum grade point average of 2.0 transferred from another regionally accredited college or university

Academic aptitude may be indicated by any one of the following:

A satisfactory combination of Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or American College Testing (ACT) scores and high school grade point average: satisfactory is defined as a minimum composite (math/verbal of 800 on the SAT or 17 on the ACT)

General Education Development (GED) certificate with a minimum of 45 on each of the five tests and a satisfactory score on the SAT or ACT

Twelve or more hours or the equivalent of transferable credit and a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better on college-level work

Credentials for Admission

All credentials submitted for admission purposes become the property of Our Lady of the Lake University and cannot be returned.

Undergraduate Programs

In addition to the application for admission and application fee, the following credentials are required:

Freshman

Student who has never attended college or recipient of dual credit before graduating high school.

Official high school transcript (may be submitted as early as the end of the junior year, but complete transcript with date of graduation must be submitted prior to enrolling) or official GED scores

Scores on the SAT or ACT *

Official college transcripts of dual credit earned while in high school (if applicable)

Non-traditional Freshmen

Student who has graduated high school, GED recipient, or has less than 12 transferable hours

Official high school transcript. Complete transcript with date of graduation must be submitted prior to enrolling or official GED certificate with scores. Student must meet minimum score of 45 in each of the five sections.

Scores on the SAT or ACT. Students who tested during high school will be asked to submit SAT and/or ACT test scores. If requirements were not met, they will have an opportunity to take the ACT residual.

For GED recipients or students who did not test in high school, the Accuplacer test will be required.

Official College transcript of dual credit earned while in high school (if applicable)

Transfer

Student who previously attended another college or university beyond high school; seeking degree from OLLU and has a minimum of 12 transferrable hours.

Official transcript from each college/university attended

Official high school transcript with date of graduation required if student does not posses an associate degree

Accuplacer test is required if student has not received college level Math credit

Transient

Transient students are those students who are using Our Lady of the Lake University credit to meet requirements for their home institution

Official transcript from home institution

Auditor

A student who audits a class without the benefit of a grade or credit for the course

Submit application as an undergraduate/special interest student

Submit an official transcript of highest conferred degree or last college/university attended

If student attended another college or university; never attended OLLU: official transcript from each college/university attended is required

Readmit

A former student, who has previously attended Our Lady of the Lake University, has been gone longer than one academic year and wishes to return to continue their degree.

Transcript from all schools attended since last attending OLLU**

A personal statement must be submitted this includes:

Explanation of previous academic performance

Plans for improving academic performance, corrective actions

Any other documentation which will support request for readmission

Former Students on Enforced Scholastic Withdrawal:

Traditional students must remain out of school two terms (not including summer) before submitting request for readmission.

Note: Readmission is not available after three periods of Enforced Scholastic Withdrawal.

Post baccalaureate

A student who has a bachelor’s degree and wishes to apply for further study at the undergraduate level to purse a second bachelor’s degree.

Official transcript from institution where baccalaureate degree was earned (not required if degree received from OLLU)

Note:

If seeking teacher certification, official transcripts must be submitted from ALL colleges/universities attended. NOTE: Oral communication skills listed in TAC 230.11 require a score of 26 on the speaking section of the TOEFL-1BT, per state guidelines for demonstration of oral communication skills for admittance of out-of-country applicants into the teacher education program, provided the applicant does not hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from a university where English was the primary language of instruction.

If seeking undergraduate coursework in communication disorders for the purpose of admission to the graduate program communication disorders program, applicant must submit proof of passing all sections of the TASP or THEA, completed criminal background check form (form provided by Office of Admissions) and a one-page typed vita highlighting training experiences that have influenced the applicant’s interest in speech-language pathology

International

A student who is not a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident of the United States is considered an international student. International students usually need an F1 or J1 visa to study in the United States.

Official transcripts from all international schools attended. The Ministry of Education must recognize all schools. International transcripts not in English must have certified English translation. An official course-by-course credential evaluation by an approved OLLU credential evaluation company must be submitted and indicate a minimum educational preparation equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma.

Official transcripts from high school and colleges attended

Proof of English language proficiency. A minimum score on the TOEFL, not more than two years old, must be submitted. Photocopies or other duplication of scores are not accepted. Official scores should be sent directly from Educational Testing Service (ETS) and identified with the ETS school code for Our Lady of the Lake University (6550). Contact Admissions for alternatives to the TOEFL and the waiver policies of the English proficiency requirement. A minimum score for traditional undergraduate students is defined as 525 on the paper based test, or 71 on the internet based test. For graduate students 550 on paper-based test or 79 on the internet based test.

Oral communication skills listed in TAC 230.11 require a score of 26 on the speaking section of the TOEL-IBT, per state guidelines for demonstration of oral communication skills for admittance of out-of-country applicants into the teacher education program, provided the applicant does not hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from a university where English was the primary language of instruction.

A Confidential Financial Statement and a statement from the financial institution where funds have been deposited or accounts have been maintained by applicant or applicant’s sponsor attesting to the ability to support applicant’s financial obligations to the University

Proof of United States immigration status (legible copy of passport and visa showing dates of issuance and expiration, if applying from within the United States)

Completed I-20 Transfer Report.

OLLU does sponsor the J-1 Exchange Program and it is authorized to issue the form I-20 for F-1 Visa students.

Send all requests for information and applications to the Admissions Office.

Entry Skill Requirements

All entering undergraduate freshman and transfer students are required to validate mastery of college entry skills in reading, composition and mathematics. Skill levels for freshmen are based on SAT or ACT verbal and mathematics scores and high school English and mathematics grade point average; for transfer students, college English and mathematics are reviewed. Depending upon the level of competence demonstrated, students may be required to take OLLU assessments which would determine if the student would take QUEST Intensive courses or register for non-intensive-credit bearing freshman-level courses.

Writing

Competence in writing can be demonstrated through one of the following: 1) ACT/SAT verbal scores in conjunction with high school English grade point average and 2) a minimum of three semester hours of college-level English with a “C” or above, or 3) satisfactory score on the Accuplacer. Students found to be below college-entry level (on such criteria as unity, coherence, organization and development of ideas, and mechanical correctness) will be required to take credit-bearing ENGL 1313 - Composition I.

Reading

OLLU accepts four measures as evidence of satisfactory level of reading competence: 1) ACT/SAT verbal scores in conjunction with high school English grade point average, 2) a grade of “C” or better on a college-level reading course, 3) satisfactory score on the Accuplacer, and 4) a minimum grade point average of 2.0 in three semester hours of college-level English. Students who do not present evidence of satisfactory performance on one of the above measures are required to register for credit-bearing ENGL 1313 - Composition I.

Mathematics

Placement in mathematics is determined by one of the following: 1) ACT/SAT math scores in conjunction with high school mathematics courses and grade point average, 2) pre-assessment and 3) prerequisites for specific courses. Students not ready for a regular college mathematics course may be placed in credit-bearing MATH 1301 INT or MATH 1304 INT, depending on their needs.

Transfer Credit

All courses completed with a grade of C or higher that are normally considered part of an associate of arts/science or bachelor degree program will transfer to Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU). Transfer work that does not apply toward degree requirements, are considered elective credits. Acceptance of advanced level transfer work in certain programs (communication disorders, social work and programs in undergraduate teacher education) must be reviewed by the department to determine OLLU equivalence. Acceptance of transfer work does not reduce institutional requirements (e.g. residency, advanced hours, etc.) Refer to the Undergraduate Information section of this catalog for general degree requirements.

It is the student’s responsibility to provide official transcripts reflecting completion of course work to the Admissions Office. Official transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities, regardless of whether credit is awarded or whether credits apply toward the current program, must be received by the Admissions Office by the beginning of the first term of enrollment. Students who fail to meet this admission requirement will not be permitted to enroll for future terms until all required transcripts are received.

Credit submitted for transfer to Our Lady of the Lake University must be recorded on an official transcript received by the Admission’s Office or Registrar’s Office from the institution where the credit was earned. Once submitted for admission or transfer consideration, the transcript becomes the property of Our Lady of the Lake University and cannot be released to the student. The transfer of course credit will be processed by the personnel in the Registrar’s Office. The courses have been previously (or will be) evaluated by faculty in each area to determine the transferability and equivalence of each course. Course content will be determined from the catalog description or the course syllabus issued by the transferring institution

The following policies will be used by the Registrar when evaluating transfer credits.

Credit from Regionally Accredited Institutions

A course that is normally considered part of the bachelor degree program may be accepted in transfer. Maximum transferable hours from community colleges (combination of all community colleges attended) is 72 semester hours.

Grades of “D” are not automatically transferred. After admission, courses with grades of “D” should be evaluated by the student and the adviser. A request to the Registrar’s Office may be made to transfer in courses with grades of “D” provided that these courses are not part of the student’s major, minor, freshman English and teacher certification courses AND that there are offsetting credits in transferable courses in which “A” and “B” grades were earned from the same institution. Once admitted, student and adviser will determine which “D” grades should be transferred and request that the Registrar’s Office update of the record.

A course that is equivalent to an OLLU course will be transferred as the equivalent course. Department chairs will be consulted when there is a question regarding the similarity of a transfer course to an OLLU course. All work completed at a two-year college will carry lower-division credit. In exceptional circumstances, a lower-level course may be substituted for an upper level course with the approval of the appropriate dean/department chair. A lower-level course substituted for an upper-level course will not count toward the advanced hour requirement for the degree.

Developmental course work and/or preparatory courses such as orientation, will not be accepted in transfer.

A course that is intended for use in a vocational, technical, or occupational program normally will not be accepted as transfer credit unless it is applied to the BAS degree program. BAS technical fields must be approved by the Department of program prior to the assigning of the BAS program to the student’s record. These courses will be used in the calculation of the transfer grade point and the overall grade point average. The vocational, technical or occupational program courses must be completed prior to matriculating at OLLU and the number of hours transferred toward the BAS degree is a minimum of 18 but not to exceed 30. If student decides to change their program from a BAS degree program, all technical transfer hours will be removed from their record.

Graduate level courses will not be transferred for undergraduate credit unless approved by the appropriate dean for use in the student’s undergraduate degree program.

Discipline courses offered in a professional program, such as communication disorders, social work, etc., will not be accepted as a degree credit until approved by the appropriate dean/department chair.

Credit for field experience, internship, or practicum may be transferred from a senior college or university if credit is approved by the appropriate dean/department chair. Since these typically are junior/senior level courses, credit from a two-year school will not be transferred.

Credit reflected on an incoming transcript for life-work experience from an evaluation of a portfolio, CLEP credit, DANTES creditor, AP credit or department exam will not be accepted in transfer.

Credit may be awarded for completion of education programs conducted by business and industry. After matriculation, credit may be determined on an individual basis. The evaluation will be based on the American Council on Education (ACE) credit recommendations.

After matriculating at OLLU, a student must obtain advanced permission to enroll at any other college or university with the intent of transferring course credits to OLLU for application toward degree requirements. Procedurally, if the course is offered at OLLU during the same semester, a request for enrollment for the same course at another institution will be denied.

Course work taken at St. Mary’s University, University of Incarnate Word and/or Oblate School of Theology through the Inter-Institutional Registration agreement while enrolled at OLLU will be treated as residence credit; however, work taken prior to matriculating at OLLU or not included in the Inter-Institutional Registration plan will be treated the same as other transfer work.

Credit from Institutions not regionally accredited

Courses from an institution not regionally accredited will be evaluated on an individual basis, and credit may be granted in areas equivalent to those at Our Lady of the Lake University. Various methods of validation are available for determining this equivalence:

CLEP (College Level Examination Program)

Departmental examinations

Advanced courses completed at OLLU with “C” or above

Credit for Military Experience

Students who have been or are in the military may gain credit from this experience. A military educational transcript or a DD214 can be used to determine whether credit can be awarded. The Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Serviced (ACE) is used to determine what experience might be eligible for credit and whether that credit will fit into the student’s program. Military Occupational Specialty experience is not eligible for credit. Four hours of kinesiology credit will be awarded for completion of basic training.

External Credit after Matriculating

Prior to attempting any external credit (CLEP, DANTES, portfolio, discipline exam), the student must obtain and complete the “Request for Credit Through Examination and/or Non-traditional Experience” form (available in the Registrar’s Office or on the Registrar’s webpage).

Processing for:

Credit through examination

Completed form is received in the Registrar’s Office

Form is reviewed and student and adviser are notified of status of request

Original form is forwarded to Assessment Center

Upon completion of the test, results are attached to the form and returned to the Registrar’s Office for final processing

CLEP, DANTES, discipline exam cannot be used to repeat a course recorded at OLLU

Credit through portfolio/life work experience

Form and documentation is submitted to the Assessment Center

Upon completion of the evaluation, if credit is awarded, the form is forwarded to the Student Business Office for billing

Once student has paid for the credit, the form is forwarded to the Registrar’s Office for final processing

Transfer credit after Matriculating

Students needing to take courses at another institution after matriculating at OLLU must have the courses approved prior to registering at the other institution. Student should obtain the “Request to Take Course(s) at Another College/University” form (available in the Registrar’s Office or on the Registrar’s webpage). Complete the form, obtain required signatures and return to the Registrar’s Office. The course(s) are reviewed and the student and adviser are notified of the results of the review.

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)

Our Lady of the Lake University recognizes that non-collegiate experiences may often provide collegiate-level learning. It therefore provides appropriate opportunities for interested undergraduate applicants to have their prior learning experiences evaluated for credit according to methods approved by the University and the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL).

Current OLLU students seeking PLA credit must apply through the academic adviser. Prospective students should contact the Admissions Office. In an initial advising session, applicants are briefed on requirements and procedures, and consulting interviews are arranged with appropriate faculty. Credit to be awarded is determined by utilizing one or more of the following means of assessment:

Military Record Evaluation *

The University grants credit, as approved by the various colleges and schools, for formal military service school courses as recommended by the American Council on Education. Credit is also given for acceptable scores on subject standardized tests of Defense Activity for Nontraditional Education Support (DANTES). As a member of the Service members Opportunity College (SOC) network, the University recognizes the unique nature of the military lifestyle and has committed itself to easing the transfer of relevant course credits, providing flexible academic residency requirements, and crediting learning from appropriate military training and experience. No charge is made for credit granted for military training and experience.

Certified Career Credit Evaluation *

The University will also award college credit for certain non-collegiate training programs which have been evaluated by the American Council on Education and the National Program on Non-collegiate Sponsored Instruction (NPONSI) which have also been validated and approved by the appropriate faculty, and those approved by a committee of University faculty and outside experts. These include licensure and certification programs such as insurance, data processing, secretarial and purchasing, as well as numerous other training programs in the military, business and industry. A $100 evaluation fee is charged.

Credit by Examination *

Satisfactory scores on standardized national examinations of the College Board, such as the Achievement Tests of the Admissions Testing Program, the Advanced Placement (AP) Program, and the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), International Baccalaureate Credit (IB), or on examinations developed by University departments may be accepted for appropriate course credit. Specific information concerning these tests, administration fees, minimum scores required, and potential credit available may be obtained from the Assessment Center or the Office of the Registrar. The tuition charge for credit by departmental examination is $250 per credit hour; there is no charge for credit earned through the College Board examination programs.

Portfolios *

The Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) advisers offer instructions to students on how to prepare documented portfolios on their prior learning assessment. To be acceptable for credit, portfolios must demonstrate not only that the educative experience occurred, but that the student did derive collegiate-level learning from it and integrated this learning with other collegiate knowledge and skills. Interviews, simulations and other assessments may be required as supplements to the portfolios. Completed portfolios are submitted to the Assessment Center for evaluation. Tuition for credit received through portfolios is charged at $250 per credit hour.

*All credit earned through any of the assessments listed above must be completed and hours posted to the student record prior to the semester in which the student will be completing degree requirements.